If you’re like most people, you enjoy the convenience of grabbing a cup of coffee on your way to work or school and don’t think twice about where that coffee came from.
But have you ever stopped to consider the safety and cleanliness of your local vending machine?
While most people probably don’t think twice about this, there are many things about vending machines that we may not know about and should be aware of.
Drinking coffee from a vending machine is stimulating and can positively affect your mood, but consuming too much of it can cause anxiety and nervousness.
What Exactly Are Vending-Machine Toxins?
We all know that vending machines generally don’t offer the healthiest foods. But what about drinks? Are vending machine drinks safe to consume?
The answer is complicated and will depend on several factors.
There are two main toxins that can potentially be found in vending-machine drinks: mold and bacteria.
Mold
Mold is more likely to grow in warm or moist environments, so mold can grow in beverages stored at higher temperatures, such as those found inside a hot vending machine – though this depends on how often the machine has been serviced or maintained.
Bacteria
Bacteria, meanwhile, thrive in areas with unsanitary conditions, such as human saliva. If someone sneezes into their drink before putting it into the machine (or if there’s another source of droplets), then chances are high that any bacteria from their mouth would contaminate the liquid.
A study by researchers at Virginia Tech found that 86% of drinks tested contained coliform bacteria, which includes fecal matter! If you’re drinking a caffeinated beverage, like coffee, you might be consuming toxic chemicals called chlorogenic acids, which are created when coffee beans roast.
These acids have been linked to insomnia, upset stomach, and much more. However, it’s not yet known whether they have the same effect on humans.
Finally, caffeine could have adverse side effects such as heart palpitations and irritability when consumed too late in the day.
A Cup Of Coffee Contains Hundreds Of Chemicals
Coffee is more than just a hot beverage to help you wake up in the morning. A cup of coffee contains hundreds of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are beneficial, while others can be harmful.
When it comes to coffee-based drinks from vending machines, there are many risks associated with drinking them.
People who work at these vending machines may not always wash their hands before making their drinks. That means that you could ingest bacteria or viruses without even knowing it!
And don’t forget about the person who had that breakfast burrito earlier and didn’t wash their hands before grabbing your doughnut for a snack!
While some of these issues can be avoided by purchasing cups from a coffee shop, some chemical compounds will still make their way into your drink.
Coffee has been shown to have health benefits like reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease when consumed in moderation.
However, the harmful chemicals in vending machine coffee far outweigh any potential benefits. To avoid consuming dangerous substances such as benzene and acrylamide, which are present in heated beverages, use caution when choosing what to drink.
Some Vending Machines Add Extra Sugar
It’s probably convenient to grab a coffee from a vending machine if you’re like most people. But did you know that some vending machines add extra sugar to their coffee?
The result is 120 calories and 35 grams of sugar per serving!
Some Vending Machines Offer Nonfat Milk
Some machines offer nonfat milk instead of cream or whole milk as a healthier alternative. That saves you around 100 calories and 12 grams of fat per serving!
However, it’s essential to remember that many people find these beverages taste too watered.
Another downside is that these types of drinks often come with added flavorings which might not be something you are looking for if you prefer your coffee without additives.
In addition, these options may only be available when the machine has been recently restocked.
So if you need your caffeine fix on the go right away, this may not be your best option. Instead, try making coffee at home ahead of time so it can cool while you’re out on the road (or use store-bought).
If you are going to grab a drink from a vending machine, look for those that offer both low-calorie and low-fat choices and skim milk. Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water and other healthy beverages!
How Long Can You Keep A Cup Of Coffee Hot?
On average, a cup of coffee will stay hot for about two hours. However, a few things can affect how long your coffee stays hot. The type of container you use, the temperature of the coffee, and how often you drink it can all impact how long your coffee will stay hot.
For example, if you fill your cup with ice before adding the coffee, it won’t be able to keep it as warm as if you were drinking straight black coffee.
Additionally, people drink more than one cup of coffee at a time, decreasing how long each drink stays hot! You might not think twice about grabbing a free coffee from the office vending machine or gas station.
Know About Unfiltered Coffee
It is no secret that coffee is a popular beverage all over the world, and there is a good reason for that. It’s delicious, energizing, and can be enjoyed in various ways.
However, some people worry that coffee from vending machines is harmful. Let’s take a closer look at this claim to see if there’s any truth.
Research indicates that unfiltered coffee has three times more cafestol (a compound found in oil-rich beans) than filtered coffee. The more Cafestol you consume, the greater your risk of developing health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
That said, not all unrefined coffees have high levels of caffeine. Some types only have trace amounts.
If you are worried about drinking unfiltered coffee, ask what type of bean was used to make the drink, so you know how much caffeine is present.
If the answer isn’t clear, skip it altogether! So what should you do? Always go with filtered coffee! Filtered coffee will still taste great and is better for your health.
When Do You Buy Coffee In A Vending Machine?
You might not know this, but when you buy coffee in a vending machine, you’re taking a bit of a risk. The coffee in these machines is often old, stale, and even moldy. Drinking it can lead to stomach problems, headaches, and even nausea.
And some people have found the worst thing they can imagine – like blood and semen! So next time that convenient grab-and-go cup of joe tempts you to consider making your own at home. It’s cheaper, healthier for you, and way better tasting!
Plus, if you brew your coffee with an Aeropress or French press, you won’t need to worry about any gross particles in your drink. Even if you choose ground beans rather than whole beans, there are still benefits to buying them at the grocery store.
By grinding them yourself before brewing, you’ll avoid staleness and extend their shelf life up to 3 weeks.
What’s In Expensive, Gourmet Coffee Drinks At Vending Machines?
We all know that vending machines typically offer coffee on the lower quality spectrum. But what exactly is in those expensive, gourmet coffee drinks you sometimes see at vending machines?
Here’s a look at some of the most common ingredients.
Black Tea
A naturally occurring leafy tea made from camellia Sinensis leaves.
Green Tea
A tea made with green tea leaves (camellia Sinensis). There are three general categories: unfermented green tea, semi-fermented green tea, and fermented green tea.
Decaffeinated Coffee
Made by extracting or treating the caffeine chemically so it cannot be detected in lab tests.
Flavored Coffees
Flavors such as hazelnut, vanilla, and cinnamon are added to mask the taste of weak coffee.
Iced Coffee Drinks
Iced coffees typically have sugar or corn syrup added to make them sweeter.
Hot Chocolate Drinks
With chocolate mixed into hot water to make it more sweet and rich.
Espresso Drinks
Typically made from ground espresso beans roasted darkly for a strong flavor.
Milk
Some options can include whole, nonfat, or soy milk.
Sweeteners
Sweeteners include sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar.
Cocoa Powder
For making hot cocoa; usually found with other baking supplies near the coffee machine area.
Summary
Like most people, you probably enjoy a vending machine’s occasional cup of coffee. But you should know that drinking coffee from vending machines can harm your health. Vending machines are not created equally, and that must also be understood.
Many brands use paper cups rather than plastic cups or even paper sleeves. Those paper cups or sleeves may contain formaldehyde and dioxins, which could adversely affect your health. Therefore, remember these things when drinking coffee from a vending machine.